TUSCALOOSA – Unique access to the Alabama football team was given to a select few media members during A-Day on Saturday.

I was one the media coaches who was on the sidelines and locker room during the game to see how things run.

The spring game was not only a practice game for the players to gain experience on the field, but a dry run of game day operations. The Crimson Tide replicated the fine details down to the timing of what must be done.

What stood out most was the controlled rush players go through to compete. There’s a scramble to make it all work.

They were warming up on the field before the game as associate athletic director Jeff Purinton showed the media coaches around to the locker room and gave us the briefing for the day.

My team was the White team with the first-string defense and second-team offense. White won 17-13 on Saturday afternoon in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Once the warmups were over, the White and Crimson teams separated into their own locker rooms. White split into offense and defense groups.

Players sat on stools and watched as the coaches drew formations on the white board to illustrate what to expect and review play calls.

Smart felt prepared going into the the game. He was calm and steady, and kept looking at the wall for the countdown clock, which is set for when the team leaves for the field.

When it was time, strength coach Scott Cochran made the announcement and everyone filtered out.

The game from the sidelines is interesting in that you are in the middle of the team preparing. More than once, I dodged players running on and off the field and be moved for the long snapper to warm up.

Assistant coaches were on their toes as they gathered all the special teams players to be ready to go in on a moment’s notice and manage all the substitutions for all the formations.

Being in the middle of the team is also a bad view, compared to the press box. There are too many big people in the way to watch the game, and you can’t see what happened on the other side.

Smart and defensive line coach Bo Davis worked with the defense between series. Smart now talked a mile a minute, and the intensity was up.

By the second half, the players were tired and zoned out. Smart kept going, but the players weren’t as responsive as the first half.

Halftime in the locker room was similar to pregame, but at a higher speed. Support personnel rushed to get players a water bottle, Gator Aid, a Rice Krispies treat and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Nutritionist Amy Bragg said the Rice Krispies treat gives them energy right away and the peanut butter and jelly kicks in late in the game.

The offensive coaches conferred together longer than Smart to figure out their adjustments. Smart jumped in to show players their mistakes in the first half and explain the corrections.

He spoke in another language. Each program calls plays and actions on the field in a different way.

That’s why young players take time to develop. They must learn the language like it’s their primary language and react quickly. It’s so complicated long-time support personnel had no idea what was being said.

The offense adjusted slower because new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin altered the language this spring. The offensive coaches were more methodical in their changes.

Overall, it was a chaotic scene as trainers worked on hurt players to get them ready for the next half, and Cochran ran around yelling at players to give them an emotional boost.

Time in the locker room was short. Coach Nick Saban wondered into this locker room and gave Cochran the high sign. Cochran blew his whistle and the players were out for the second half.

As the game went on, White players started talking about eating steak when they gained the lead. The winners of the spring game are served a steak dinner today, while the losers get beans and weenies.

Yes, the media coaches are invited, but work and personal business don’t allow me the time. My co-coach, however, was thrilled.

When Crimson made a late comeback, panic spread through the White sideline. Players settled down so they could finish the game.

Afterward, the full team came together in White locker room. Saban addressed the group about going into the offseason to improve.

When dealing with the media, Saban doesn’t open up much, but when he’s with the players, he’s more emotional. He’s the type of speaker who can motivate and inspire, but not out of fear.

He ended spring practice with everyone on a knee reciting The Lord’s Prayer.

The time spent as a media coach was enlightening. It gave an appreciation to all the parts to make game day happen and all the things that could go wrong.

Cliff Kirkpatrick covers Alabama athletics. He can be followed @COkirkpatrick on Twitter.